Pen Argyl's Trey Sampson drives to the middle during the Knights' 59-46 loss to Salisbury in a game played at Pen Argyl Tuesday night.(New photo tomorrow) Sbtt Photo Jennifer Trinkley Photography

Christmas in Pen Argyl Today

Christmas in Pen Argyl will be held from 4-6pm Thursday inside the Fire Hall on the first floor of Pen Argyl Borough Hall. Community businesses will set up tables and offer treats, samples and information. Pen Argyl dentist Dr. Gary Williams is sponsoring Santa and Mrs Claus. Music will be provided by Rose's Day Care from 4:15-4:30 and the Pen Argyl High School Choir from 4:45 - 5:00. Girl Scout troops will decorate parking meters & planters throughout the town.

The New Approach and Little Approach performed at Trinity Evangelical Church Sunday afternoon with proceeds of the event going to the Church's Food Pantry.Sbtt Photo Larry Cory

Growing Up In a Butcher ShopTradizioni /Natalizie

Ciao Amici, Many of the traditional Christmas customs in Roseto and Italy are based on Christian Religion. Christmas in Italy “Natale” is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. The castle of St. Angelo in Rome fires a canon to proclaim the opening of the holy season. One unique tradition I just found out about is children writing letters of love to their parents instead of a wish list for Santa Claus. The note is put under the father’s plate and read out immediately following the Christmas Eve Dinner. The season starts with “Novena” or special prayers. There are musical salutes at churches of the Virgin Mary then they proceed by chanting hymns in homes of carpenters to honor St. Joseph. Often the children dress up as shepherds and sing songs and play pipes. On the 8th day of December on the day of Immacolata. “Presepio” [replica of the Holy Family Stable] is built. Using a crib to tell the Christmas story was made popular by St. Francis of Assisi. He visited Bethlehem and saw the stable, where it was thought that Jesus was born. Growing up in Roseto I do not remember visiting a home that did not have one. The shoemaker Leonard Castelluci had the most beautiful Presepio of all. After dinner some nights we would go up Garibaldi Avenue to see it, not only the characters from the Christmas Story but every day people, objects, like houses, food, and animals; however, the figure of the baby Jesus was missing! As we walked home from Midnight Mass, Mom would take us to see the Presipio. She would say, “Fare vedere il bambino Gesù è nel suo presepe”? [“Do you see the Baby Jesus is in his crib?]Il Natale sarà sempre finché ci troviamo nel cuore a cuore e mano nella mano.Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.Dr. SeussCon cordiali saluti,JoeTo receive menu specials and our newsletter, Join our mailing list at our WEB PAGE: www.JDeFrancoandDaughters.comClick on Mailing List and enter your e-mail Send us your Roseto stories, recipes and comments to:E-mail: portipasto@epix.net or call usme or by Appointment

Bangor's Jaclyn Hess defends during the Slaters' loss to Pocono Mt. East at Bill Pensyl Gym in Bangor Area High School Friday night. Sbtt Photo Gwen Thomas Belt and Beyond

Tech Clinic at Lafayette invites Slate Belt

Enjoy a special presentation with the Lafayette College Technology Clinic Students Thursday, December 10, at 5PM in Van Wickle Room 108 (the Geology building on South College Drive opposite Colton Chapel) at Lafayette College. The main objective of the Lafayette College Technology Clinic (Tech Clinic) is to find ways to encourage young men and women to consider business and entrepreneurship opportunities available in the Slate Belt. The Tech Clinic is working with the Slate Belt COG and the Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce on a media campaign consisting of video interviews which highlight successful business owners and entrepreneurs in the region. This is one way they envision to inspire the youth in local communities to start their own business, pursue their passions, and be exposed to different types of career paths.

Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner

Belfast Wesley United Methodist Church located at 607 School Road in Nazareth, will be hosting an All You Can Eat Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner. The dinner will be held from 1-4pm on Friday, January 1st. Cost for the dinner is adults $10, children 3-10 years old $5, and childen under 3 are free. For more information call Tom at 610-863-7772.

Jennifer Hocking and son Dylan enjoy Breakfast with Santa sponsored by Friends of the Bangor Public Library held at the Bee Hive Saturday morning. Sbtt Photo Larry Cory

Blue Mountain Library Christmas Fundraiser

The library’s annual Christmas fundraiser has begun and will continue through December 31st. For a $5 donation, you may hang an ornament on the Christmas Tree in honor or memory of a loved one or pet. Please help support the library by decorating the tree. During the month of December, the Book Nook will feature another special sale. Buy one puzzle, get one free or buy a book by Nora Roberts, get any book of the same or lesser value free. Book Nook Gift Certificates are available to purchase and make great Christmas gifts for your favorite reader. ​ The library is located at 216 S. Robinson Ave. in Pen Argyl. Hours are M-Sa, 10:00am-Noon, and M-Th, 6:00-8:00pm. The library will be closed on December 24 and 25, December 31(PM shift only), and January 1. The library will also be closed when the Pen Argyl School District is closed due to inclement weather. Check www.wfmz.com for closings. Call 610-863-3029 for information or visit www.bmcl.org.

All of the presents collected by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bangor for Slater Family Network, along with the food bags and turkeys are shown here before they were delivered this week. Photo Courtesy Misty Marino

Family Night: Investigating Owl Pellets at Jacobsburg

Friday, December 11, 6:30-7:30 PM What is an owl pellet? Well it’s not poop! Find out more about these mysterious little treasures that our local night time hunters leave behind. We will spend the evening being scientists by investigating the diets of owls through dissection! Find clues about the habits and roles of owls in the ecosystem, starting with what they eat. This program is appropriate for children ages six and up. Registration is required.​ You can also view and register or community programs online at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/. If you need an accommodation to participate in a program please contact the park office at 610-746-2801 or jacobsburgsp@pa.gov. With at least three days notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Stockertown Rod & Gun Club Meeting - Club House, 7:30pm

Richmond Lions Club - Trinity Lutheran, Bangor, 7pm

Slate Belt Rotary - Scorecard, Wind Gap, 6-7pm

Slate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm

PETS......

Make your new house feel like home ​to your family pets

(BPT) - Moving into a new home is exciting - for the humans in the family. It can be less comfortable for pets who need time to adjust to a new environment, learn their way around and discover the best nap spots in their new home. As a loving pet parent, you want every member of your family to be as happy and comfortable as possible. Here are some tips to make your home more welcoming to your four-legged family members: Convenient diningYour furry friend will need his own space for meals - unless you don't mind him begging at the table when you eat! Make sure he has a bowl that is appropriate for his size and always clean it between meals. Vets recommend feeding pets only once or twice a day, so you'll want to stow away bowls when they're not in use. Many homes, including manufactured homes offered by Clayton, can be customized with a pet friendly feature - pet dish drawers that allow you to conceal feeding dishes when they're not needed, and slide the drawer open when it's meal time. It's a great way to keep your pet's dining area near yours but also out of the way. Hang-out space Dogs and cats spend a lot of their day napping and relaxing, so be sure to provide a variety of spaces for your pet to just hang out - with you or on his own. Clayton builds pet-friendly spots into many of their home models, including window seats and hideaway cubbies where pets can nap in peace. Sunrooms are also great for both pets and their humans to enjoy the feeling of al-fresco dining while remaining securely inside. Sun worshiping pets can also catch some rays while hanging out. Helpful grooming stations While many dogs enjoy a bath now and then, the process can be messy at home. Including a pet wash station with a hand-held hose in the mudroom ensures you'll be able to clean up your dirty pup before he drags dirt through the house. Make sure you outfit your wash station with an ample supply of soft, absorbent towels, dog shampoo and all the grooming tools you'll need to keep your pup looking great. Safe and happy outdoors Many pets enjoy a good romp outdoors, and you want your companion to be able to safely play in his outdoor environment. Start by adding a fence if you don't already have one. Choose one with vertical slats or rails close enough together that a pet can't slip through, and high enough that he or she can't jump over it. Next, be sure your pet has plenty of shady spots where he can hide, nap or just chill. Consider adding an outdoor pet fountain so pets always have access to fresh water, and a pet door to allow your dog or cat to easily come and go from your backyard. Cosmetic concerns Unless you have a rare hairless breed, you probably deal with pet hair daily. As you're decorating your new home, remember choosing carpeting close in color to your pet's coat will make shed hair less visible. You should also keep in mind the size of your dog as you're choosing hard flooring. Sturdy laminates will hold up better if you have large dogs in the house, while smaller dogs and cats may have trouble getting traction on vinyl or hardwood floors.

Racoon Hitches Ride on Train

YORKSHIRE, England, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A raccoon in Canada caused a quarantine after sneaking onto a train leaving Toronto. The raccoon was discovered by GO Transit officer Tyler Kay, who tweeted a photo of after a passenger alerted others of its presence causing the area to be isolated."Judging by the dark circles around his eyes, this little guy could have used some extra sleep," he said of the raccoon. When the raccoon was discovered, transit staff removed passengers from the area as opposed to stopping the train. "He was in Union [Station] and he was discovered in a coach," Metrolinx spokespersonAnne Marie Aikins told CBC News. "He needed to be quarantined while he was removed." The raccoon's presence sparked a discussion on social media which included Toronto mayor John Tory who claims the animal, who Twitter users named Rocky, was no longer welcome in the city. "I banished that raccoon. He knows why," he wrote. Despite Tory's claims, Aiken suspects the furry bandit made it onto the train through trash bins.

​Normal Open Studio Hours unless noted are:Tuesday's from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PMWednesday's from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PMFriday's from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PMSaturday's from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PMCLICK HERE FOR BLOOM'S DECEMBER CALENDAR

Blue Mountain Community Library Thanks Local Man

The Board of Directors of the Blue Mountain Community Library would like to take this opportunity to Thank John Diorio, owner of Diorio Carpet Cleaning, for cleaning the carpet on both floors of the library at no charge. They greatly appreciate his generosity in the time he spent and the wonderful job he did for the library. The carpet cleaning was very much needed and they are grateful for this unexpected act of kindness.

Blue Mountain Community Library Christmas Fundraiser

The library’s annual Christmas fundraiser has begun and will continue through December 31st. For a $5 donation, you may hang an ornament on the Christmas Tree in honor or memory of a loved one or pet. Please help support the library by decorating the tree. During the month of December, the Book Nook will feature another special sale. Buy one puzzle, get one free or buy a book by Nora Roberts, get any book of the same or lesser value free. Book Nook Gift Certificates are available to purchase and make great Christmas gifts for your favorite reader. ​ The library is located at 216 S. Robinson Ave. in Pen Argyl. Hours are M-Sa, 10:00am-Noon, and M-Th, 6:00-8:00pm. The library will be closed on December 24 and 25, December 31(PM shift only), and January 1. The library will also be closed when the Pen Argyl School District is closed due to inclement weather. Check www.wfmz.com for closings. Call 610-863-3029 for information or visit www.bmcl.org.

The Chemo Bag Holiday Ava Fundraiser

Did you know that most everyday personal care, beauty, baby and household cleaning products contain hundreds of toxic ingredients that are linked to serious health issues?Join Karen Miller as she highlights the Ava Anderson Non Toxic product line. Learn about the toxins that may be hiding in your everyday personal care and cleaning products. Ava Anderson started her revolutionary company at the age of 14 and now develops and produces the safest and best full line of personal care and home products on the market today.You are invited to The Chemo Bag's Ava Anderson Online Facebook Fundraiser party! There will be a post each day highlighting products and how to recognize toxins in other products. Visit as often as you can.To place an order in this party, orders will ship immediately, go to www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/kerrimillerIf this is your first online order or if you have ordered from a different consultant in the past, it's very important to create a new customer profile and ensure Kerri Miller, consultant number 12909, is listed as your consultant. Enter party #118717 at checkout.

Eckley Miner's Village Photo Contest

On Tuesday, December 1st, the Eckley Miners’ Village Winter Wonderland Photo Contest will officially begin. In past years they have held a popular “Fall Foliage Photo Contest”. This year they have decided to spice things up by focusing on the winter months at Eckley, which can be very visually captivating. Eckley anticipates photo entries just as stunning as those submitted for the fall. The contest is open to all members of the public, whether they are professional or amateur photographers. The pictures must be taken at Eckley Miners’ Village to be considered for the contest. Photos may be submitted any time from December 1st to March 1st. The winner will be announced and given the $50 cash prize as well as the 1-year associate membership on the second week of March. Registration is $5 per entry and forms can be found online or picked up at the visitor’s center. Eckley Miner’s Village is very excited to see the local artwork inspired by their site! Eckley is located in Foster Township, Luzerne County, 10 miles east of downtown Hazleton and 3 miles south of Freeland. For additional information, call the Village at (570) 636-2070, visit their website at www.eckleyminersvillage.com or like them on Facebook. Eckley Miners’ Village is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with active support from the Eckley Miners’ Village Associates.

Snowshoes and Hiking Poles Available at Jacobsburg

When: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM-2:30 PMWhere: Jacobsburg Visitor Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth Borrow snowshoe equipment to use on Jacobsburg’s trails this winter! Snowshoes are available for folks of any age or shoe size, including small children. Snowshoes will not be made available during times of insufficient snow cover, usually at least five inches of snow is required. To borrow equipment you must provide a driver’s license or other form of state issued identification. For more information call 610-746-2801 or email jacobsburgsp@pa.gov. You can check their website at jacobsburgsp@pa.gov for current winter conditions and snow depth.

Portland Girl Scout Troop Looking for New Members

The Portland Girl Scout Troop is looking for any interested girls in grades 4th thru 8th that would like to join their troop. The troop members are Juniors and Cadets. If you have a daughter that is younger than 4th grade you may contact the troop leader for more information. Meetings are held at the Portland Borough Hall located at 206 Division Street. Please contact the troop leader Pam at 484-764-2046 or pamelabossert88@gmail.com for more information.

Winter Clothing Drive

From November 1st through December 31st, Project Keep Warm, an initiative of the Lehigh Valley Business Group, will bring community resources together to help those who need help this winter. Last year over 4,500 items were collected and donated and delivered to homeless, shelters, children, families, seniors and others. This will be the Fourth annual Project Keep Warm drive to collect winter weather gear items for the homeless – individuals, families, children, shelters, animal shelters, and others. They hope to collect more than 6,000 items this year.To learn more about how you can help. Go to www.lvbg.org or www.projectkeepwarm.org or you can e-mail them at community@lvbg.org.

Stay At Home Moms Group

If you are a stay at home mom in the Slate Belt Area and are looking for events to socialize and build friendships for yourself and your child/children you may be interested in joining this group of moms. The meetings will be held at various local spots and during school hours. For more information go to, www.meetup.com and search for Slate Belt Stay At Home Moms.

Free Movies - Wind Gap Film Club

Wind Gap Film Club is hosting a series of free movies during the months of November, December, and January. November’s feature films are The Birdcage and Kinky Boots, the movie will begin at 6pm on November 12th at the Wind Gap Legion. The Grinch and Love Actually will be shown on December 18th at 6pm at the Weona Community Center in Pen Argyl. Donations for the local food bank will be collected at the door. The film club is looking for donations of cups, glasses, and items for their Christmas event on December 18th. For more information visit them on Facebook or email windgapfilmclub@gmail.com

Friends of Bangor Library Cookbook

The Friends of the Bangor Public Library are pleased to announce their newly released "Friends of the Library Cookbook". Recipes represent submissions from people throughout the Slate Belt. The publication comes just in time for the Christmas season and make a unique gift. Featured, also in the book, is a bio of the Friends of the Library, a vignette on the history of the Bangor Library, in addition to household tips. The books are available for purchase at the Bangor Library for $8.00. For additional information contact: Karen Brewer @ 610-588-8615.

Weona Park Yoga

Yoga at the Community Center- Mondays and Thursdays, 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. $10 per session.​

Musical Instrument Collection Drive

﻿ The BAHS Alumni Association is running a drive to collect used musical instruments to be donated to Bangor’s elementary band program. The instruments will be used as loaners for students who cannot afford to buy or rent them. We will take them regardless of their condition. If you have a musical instrument that is gathering dust, and you want to make a difference in a child’s life, call 610-588-5198. We will pick them up or tell you where you can drop them off. Let’s keep the music coming!Your donations may be tax deductible. Visit slateralums.com for more information.

Friends of the Bangor Public Library"Save the Date"

The Friends of the Bangor Public Library would like to announce their upcoming events:​

Release of: "Friends of the Library Cookbook" will be in November with copies available at the library or from a member.

December 5th from 9-12 AM @ the Bee Hive: "Breakfast With Santa". Tickets @ the door.

May 6th, 7th, & 8th @ the Bee Hive: "Spring Book Sale"

Saturday June 4, 2016 "Annual House Tour" featuring five homes from the Slate Belt. Tickets are required.

The Friends are also looking for new members. Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of each month at the library. The mission of the "Friends" is to provide funds for the Bangor Library and to promote "reading" in the community. Officers are: Pres. Shirley Cline, V. Pres. Nikki Huggan, Treas. Megan Conrad, & Sec. Yvonne Humphreys. For additional information please contact: Karen Brewer @ 610-588-8615

Property Tax Relief

If you live in the Bangor Area, Easton Area or Nazareth Area School District, you may be eligible for property tax relief under a program run by the individual school district. For more information, please visit , RepEmrick.com, and go to “Property Tax Relief” on the left navigation bar.

Heritage Center Lists Slate of Events

The Slate Belt Heritage Center, located at 30 North 1st Street announces its historic events for the duration of 2015:​​

December 13th @ 2:00 PM: Mike Piersa presents: "The Flory Slate Hoists" and their journey back to Bangor.

All events are free (donations kindly accepted) and open to the public. For additional information contact: Karen Brewer @ 610-588-8615. The Heritage Center "Oral History Project" is seeking Slate Belt senior citizens who would like to be interviewed. If you know of anyone who has a story please contact Marc Blau @ 570-897-5459.

December 10

Tech Clinic at Lafayette invites Slate Belt

Enjoy a special presentation with the Lafayette College Technology Clinic Students Thursday, December 10, at 5PM in Van Wickle Room 108 (the Geology building on South College Drive opposite Colton Chapel) at Lafayette College. The main objective of the Lafayette College Technology Clinic (Tech Clinic) is to find ways to encourage young men and women to consider business and entrepreneurship opportunities available in the Slate Belt. The Tech Clinic is working with the Slate Belt COG and the Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce on a media campaign consisting of video interviews which highlight successful business owners and entrepreneurs in the region. This is one way they envision to inspire the youth in local communities to start their own business, pursue their passions, and be exposed to different types of career paths.

December 11

Family Night: Investigating Owl Pellets at Jacobsburg

Friday, December 11, 6:30-7:30 PM What is an owl pellet? Well it’s not poop! Find out more about these mysterious little treasures that our local night time hunters leave behind. We will spend the evening being scientists by investigating the diets of owls through dissection! Find clues about the habits and roles of owls in the ecosystem, starting with what they eat. This program is appropriate for children ages six and up. Registration is required.​ You can also view and register or community programs online at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/. If you need an accommodation to participate in a program please contact the park office at 610-746-2801 or jacobsburgsp@pa.gov. With at least three days notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

December 12

Enjoy a Victorian Tea December 12

A Victorian Tea will be held from 2-4pm Saturday, December 12 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church at the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway in Bangor. A ventriloquist will entertain. Cost for the tickets is $7.00. Call the church at 610-588-2023 to order.

Santa Toy Run

On December 12, 2015 the Rescue Fire Co will be holding a Santa Toy Run. Santa will deliver a pre-wrapped gift to your child at home. The cost is $10.00 per a house. ​ Please drop off the wrapped gift with your child's name and address clearly written on the gift any Monday between 7-9 pm or starting November 28, 2015 between 9 am - 6 pm. Deadline is December 9, 2015. The fire station address is 209 Pennsylvania Ave., Bangor

Wounded Warriors Benefit Pool

The Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Benefit will be held at 1:00pm Saturday December 12 at the Bangor VFW 8-ball Ball Pool Singles Tournament. BCA rules. Doors Open at 11am. Sign Ups at Noon. Entry Fee $20. Contact Keith at 610-442-5868

Holiday Open House at Jacobsburg

Saturday, December 12, 12:00-4:00 PM Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center is hosting its annual holiday open house at the visitor center featuring crafts, games and refreshments. Bring your family along to enjoy the holiday festivities! Take part in a natural history walk along the Homestead Trail at 12:30 PM with educator Rick Wiltraut. The walk will lead you to the Boulton Historic District where the Jacobsburg Historical Society will be hosting “Christmas at Boulton” for a $5.00 fee. You can take part in these additional festivities before walking back to the visitor center at 3:00 PM with Andrea Smith who will highlight the cultural history along the Henrys Woods Trail. The open house at the visitor center is free of charge and registration in not required.​ You can also view and register or community programs online at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/. If you need an accommodation to participate in a program please contact the park office at 610-746-2801 or jacobsburgsp@pa.gov. With at least three days notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

December 13

Community Christmas Cantata

A Community Christmas Cantata,” O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL,” will be presented on Sunday, December 13 at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 404 East Mountain Ave. in Pen Argyl, PA. The choir is composed of singers from various churches in the Slate Belt Area and will be directed by Mr. Walter Cole, senior choir director at Grace UMC and accompanied by Mr. William Stine. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Hope UCC Food Pantry in Wind Gap. The church is fully handicapped accessible with ample parking. Come and be blessed by the music recounting the birth of our Lord and Savior. Call 610-863-6472 or 610-863-4811 for information or directions.

Flory Slate Hoist Presentation

The Slate Belt Heritage Center will hold their monthly historic presentation on Sunday, December 13th at 2:00PM. Speaker for the afternoon will be local historian Mike Piersa. Mr. Piersa has spearheaded many projects that help preserve the history and the artifacts of the Slate Industry in Northampton County. His talk will focus on his effort to save, preserve, interpret and publicly exhibit a particular Flory Manufacturing CompanyHoist that was made in Bangor around 1900 and used in Pen Argyl for most of the 20th century. Mike identified the hoist and arranged for its removal when the quarry ceased operations. He has researched its background in original Flory records, arranged for its transport, interviewed former operators, maintained it in working order, wrote proposals for its public display and rallied various civic groups and volunteers to construct a pavilion for it to be installed in Bethel Park in Bangor. ​ Mr. Piersa is a historian for the National Museum of Industrial History organization ln Bethlehem and a graduate of Moravian College and Lehigh University.The event is free and open to the public. The Heritage Center is located at 30 North 1st Street, Bangor, PA. For additional information contact: Karen Brewer @ 610-588-8615.

December 14

Lookout Fire Company Collecting Food Items

On Monday, December 14th starting at 7:00 P.M. Lookout Fire Company will be accepting nonperishable food for their annual food drive. Items should be placed in a bag on your front porch with your porch light on. All items will be taken to the Salvation Army. Thank you to all of our residents and volunteers in assisting our neighbors in times of need.

December 15

Bangor Womens Club December Meeting

Bangor Womens Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, December 15th at the Prince of Peace Church in Johnsonsville. After a finger food lunch, the choir from Faith Christian School will provide a musical program. Everyone is welcome, please call Ellen Prudenti, at 570-897-5787 for full information.

December 16

Penn State Lehigh County Offering Free Workshop

Penn State Extension, the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, and the Appalachian Mountain Club are hosting a free workshop on aquatic invasive species, presented by Sarah Whitney from the Pennsylvania Sea Grant, on Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Illick’s Mill in Bethlehem (100 Illick’s Mill Road). Aquatic invasive species are species found outside their natural geographic range that cause ecological or economic harm, or harm to human health. Aquatic invasive species can be spread by human activities, such as boating, angling, and water gardening, to name a few. Preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives should be a top priority in Pennsylvania as the state has more than 84,000 miles of streams, 77 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and many inland lakes, and shares five major watersheds with other states and Canada. In this talk, Sarah will present information about species of concern in Pennsylvania and highlight the steps boaters, anglers, and others can take to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful species. For more information, contact Penn State Extension, Lehigh County, at 610-391-9840.

American Cancer Society Fundraiser

Merchants Bank Walkers are having a Dine and Donate event on December 16th at Country Road Pizza, located at 1491 Lake Minsi Drive, Bangor. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to benefit the American Cancer Society’s, Relay for Life. The event will have food, raffles, and door prizes.

Bangor Public Library Meeting

Bangor Public Library’s Board of Trustees will be holding a special meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, December 16th at the Bangor Public Library. The meeting is open to the public. On the agenda is the topic of reduced library funding from Upper Mount Bethel Township.

December 18

Bangor High School Holiday Band Concert

Bangor High School's Band Holiday Concert will be held on Friday, December 18 at 7:30 PM at M. Craig Paine Performing Arts Theater. Come and enjoy the sounds of the season such as: A Christmas Portrait (includes It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas, The Christmas Song, and We Need a Little Christmas) arranged by Jerry Nowak; Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming arranged by Larry Kerchner; A Celtic Christmas Celebration arranged by Steve Reisteter; O, Magnum Mysterium - Morten Lauridsen, arranged by H. Robert Reynolds; A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson; and ending with the ever popular; Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. For more information visit www.bahsbands.weebly.com

December 19

Bangor Elks Hoops Shoot

The Annual Bangor Elks Lodge 1106 sponsored “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw Contest will be held at 1pm on December 19th at the Washington Elementary Gym. Youngsters from Bangor, Pen Argyl, Faith Christian, Easton, Nazareth, Wilson, and Notre Dame are welcome to compete. You can register at the school on the day of the contest at 12:30 pm. Doors open at 12:30pm. First place winners and runner-ups will receive plaques with the first place winner advancing to district competition on February 13, 2016 hosted by the Danville Elks Lodge. This is the forty-fourth year for this youth national event. Contact Pete Nell at 610-295-2334 or Glenn Miller at 610-703-0070 if you have questions about this event.

December 20

Christmas Cantata

The East Bangor United Methodist Community Church will present a Christmas Cantata entitled "A Song Is Born" at the 9:15 a.m. worship service on Sunday, December 20th. The children will also present their Christmas program. After the service there will be a Lovefeast in the social hall featuring the traditional Moravian Sugar Cake and coffee. The church is located at 136 W. Central Ave. (Rt. 512) in East Bangor. For more information call 610-588-4453 or visit ebumc.org.

American Legion Children's Christmas Party

The Martocci-Capobianco American Legion Post #750 will hold its Annual Children’s Christmas Party at 1pm on Sunday, December 20th. The party will be held at the Post home on Garibaldi Avenue. The party is open to all children and grandchildren of the Legion Post, Auxiliary, SAL and Social members. Santa will distribute gifts to children up to the age of 12 years old. The Post should be contacted at 610-588-1371 with the name, age, and sex of the child to receive the gift from Santa. Refreshments will be served to all in attendance.

AFBA Bluegrass Shindig

A Bluegrass Shindig will be held 12:30 pm December 20 at Plainfield Fire Co. on Sullivan Trail Wind Gap The event will feature Coal County Express, Texas Rose & More plus ur Annual Bake Sale Admission - $10.00 - (Members) $7.00 Children under 13 Free. Refreshments: No Food Coolers,please but you may BYOB The new location has ample parking. The building is handicap accessible with everything on one floor. It has more pickin' space then they have had recently, a real stage and seats up to 500 people. The Fire Co. does not have a liquor license so it's BYOB. They do have a kitchen so please don't bring food. If you have questions call Ted @ 610-838-2700 Shindigs are fund raisers for the Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association.

December 23

Pen Argyl High School Senior Day

Come to Pen Argyl High School for a fun-filled “Senior Day” hosted by Gang Green, Leo Club and Student Government from 8:30am to 12:30pm (Doors open at 8:15am) Wednesday December 23. Enjoy listening to the sounds of the chorus and jazz band. They will be serving a continental breakfast and luncheon provided for all attendees. Other activities include quoits, tours of the building, technology lessons and Bingo! This event is open to all senior citizen’s of the Pen Argyl Area School District. Please RSVP by December 16 by calling 610-863-1293 Ext. 1 as soon as possible, as space is limited!!

December 24

Christmas Basketball Clinic

The Bangor Boys Basketball Team will be conducting our annual Christmas Clinic for any boy in grades 2nd to 6th from 10am to Noon, Thursday, December 24 at Bangor Area High School The clinic will consist of the following:

Stations—fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, and shooting will be demonstrated then practiced in stations.

Competitions—various dribbling and shooting competitions

Games—players will be divided by age and ability

Registration is scheduled for 9:45 at the door. Fee is $5.00 At the conclusion of the clinic, each participant will receive this year’s team poster and have the opportunity for autographs from the team. Any questions please e-mail Coach Holland: hollanbr@bangorsd.org.

January 1

Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner

Belfast Wesley United Methodist Church located at 607 School Road in Nazareth, will be hosting an All You Can Eat Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner. The dinner will be held from 1-4pm on Friday, January 1st. Cost for the dinner is adults $10, children 3-10 years old $5, and childen under 3 are free. For more information call Tom at 610-863-7772.

Farm Show New Year's Dinner

The Blue Valley Farm Show is having an all you can eat Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner on New Year's Day from 3 to 6. Adults $9.00 and Children 6 or older $4.50.

January 7

Free Workshop on Locating Grant Sources

Representatives from non-profit agencies who want to learn more about locating grant sources are invited to Northampton Community College’s Mack Library, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township, on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for a special workshop. The workshop will highlight the services provided by Foundation Directory Online, and provide an overview of its database of over 100,000 grant makers. The session will include an introduction to The Foundation Center, an organization devoted to supporting and improving institutional philanthropy, an overview and demonstration of grant resources included in the Foundation Directory Online database, and an opportunity to use the database. It is suggested that participants bring a flash drive with them to save information. Although the workshop is free, reservations are required. Call 610-861-5358 by Monday, January 4th, 2016.

January 9

Nine Week Financial Workshop

The East Bangor United Methodist Community Church will host a "Financial Peace University" class with Dave Ramsey, nationally syndicated radio show host, starting on Saturday, January 9th at 1:00 p.m. and running for 9 weeks. The class is practical, entertaining and fun. It runs approximately 90 minutes and includes video and group discussion. The cost is $93.00 per person/couple/family, which includes Dave's best selling book, "Complete Guide to Money", a class workbook, a CD library of lessons and access to online resources. For more information on Dave Ramsey and his work, you can visit his website, DaveRamsey.com. To register, and for more information about the workshop contact Becky Saltern (rebeccaasaltern@aol.com or 610-739-4024) or visit ebumc.org. The church is located at 136 West Central Ave. (Rt. 512),East Bangor.

March 12

Young at Art - Expo of Art Camps

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council will present Young at Art, an expo of arts camps and schools, to assist parents with selecting the appropriate summer class for their child. This inaugural event will be held at Penn State Lehigh Valley, from 9:00am to 2:30pm, and feature thirty exhibitors who offer lessons in the performing, literary, media and visual arts. Free admission to the expo is provided to the public.Families with children (ages four to eighteen years old) will enjoy meeting the various exhibitors and learning about the artistic opportunities for their aspiring creatives. The day’s festivities will showcase an arts demonstration, performance or activity every 25-minutes so children will have a chance “to try on what kind of artist” they want to be this summer.

Ask The Doc........

Technology can be wonderful!

by Dr. Gary Williams, DMDgarywilliamsdmd.com I know sometimes new technologies can be frustrating and leave us questioning whether “progress” is worth the hassle. But, that is not the case with intra-oral digital scanners. We have been using our digital scanner at Family Dental Care now for 3 months, and the results are amazing. Sure, it’s pretty “cool” technology, and it has been totally comfortable for patients. No gagging going on! And the turn around time is much shorter. All of these are pluses, but here is the real benefit… the accuracy and fit of what we are making. I can comfortably predict a great fit of your new crowns, splints, Invisalign aligners, retainers, and anything else we scan for. That makes it worthwhile. It’s one thing to restore your mouth to health, but I want, you want, and you deserve to rest assured that what is placed in your mouth is the best possible fit known to dentistry. Digital scanning is here to stay at Family Dental Care. Feel free to ask us about our scanner. Garywilliamsdmd.com.

New Books at Bangor Public Library

Adult Non FictionRepsher, Donald R.: Partnering with the Creator : a deeper look into the creation story of Genesis chapter one; Connolly, Sean: The book of totally irresponsible science; Jensen, Ruth: Well-seasoned quilt: enjoy a quilt for all seasons;Ogden, Tom: The complete idiot’s guide to magic tricks; Robertston, Kay: The women of Duck Commander: surprising insights from the women behind the beards…; Robertson, Korie: Faith Commander: living the five values from the parables of Jesus

Large Print FictionClark, Mary Higgins: The melody lingers on;Coulter, Catherine: The lost key;Meltzer, Brad: The President’s shadow;Michaels, Fern: The guest list;Roberts, Nora: The liar;Robinson, Lee: Lawyer for the dog;Smith, April: A star for Mrs. Blake; Walsh, Dan: The unfinished gift

Large Print Non-FictionMeyer, Joyce: Good health, good life : 12 keys to enjoying physical and spiritual wellness

ReferenceConsumer Reports buying guide, 2016

Easy FictionBunting, Eve: A turkey for Thanksgiving;Confalone, Emma: Three Circles

Easy Non FictionBerry, Joy: A book about lying.

Juvenile FictionDrake, Salamanda: Riding the storm; Gurski, Samantha: The magic of Bea; Lanier, Sophia: The land of happiness

DVDsThe American Freedom Train: the year in pictures 1975; The American Freedom Train: the year in pictures 1976; Knowing; Madagascar; Numb3rs Season 1; The Fight continues; The search for Santa Paws; War of the Worlds

Helping Hands 2015 Plans

November and December 2015 Roseto Helping Hands will be selling Holiday candy and caroling throughout the streets of Roseto. Caroling date to be announced. To purchase candy, contact Lynne Smith at 610-863-7252.